The 1998 FAI 1000 Classic was the second running of the Australia 1000 race, first held after the organisational split over the Bathurst 1000 the previous year. It was the 41st race that traces its lineage back to the 1960 Armstrong 500 held at Phillip Island. 1998 was the 36th year in which a touring car endurance race had been held at the Mount Panorama Circuit.

Layout of the Mount Panorama Circuit

The event, which was contested by V8 Supercars, was held on 15 November 1998 at the Mount Panorama Circuit just outside Bathurst.

The event's naming rights sponsor was FAI Insurance.[1]

Entry list

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No. Class Drivers Team (Sponsor) Car No. Class Drivers Team (Sponsor) Car
1 O   Craig Lowndes
  Mark Skaife
Holden Racing Team
(Holden, Mobil 1)
Holden Commodore VT 35 O   Jason Bargwanna
  Jim Richards
Garry Rogers Motorsport
(Valvoline, Cummins)
Holden Commodore VS
2 O   David Parsons
  Simon Wills
Gibson Motorsport
(Wynn's)
Holden Commodore VS 36 P   Neil Schembri
  Gary Quartly
Schembri Motorsport
(Gearbox Motorsport)
Holden Commodore VS
3 P   Steve Reed
  Trevor Ashby
Lansvale Smash Repairs
(PPG)
Holden Commodore VS 37 O   Alan Taylor
  Bill Attard
  Stephen Bell
Alan Taylor Racing
(The Xerox Shop)
Holden Commodore VS
4 O   Jason Bright
  Steven Richards
Stone Brothers Racing
(Pirtek)
Ford Falcon EL 38 O   Mark Poole
  Tony Scott
James Rosenberg Racing
(Gawler Farm Machinery)
Holden Commodore VS
5 O   Glenn Seton
  Neil Crompton
Glenn Seton Racing
(Ford Credit)
Ford Falcon EL 39 P   Chris Smerdon
  Charlie Cox
Challenge Motorsport
(Vittoria Coffee)
Holden Commodore VS
7 O   Darren Hossack
  Darren Pate
Gibson Motorsport
(Wynn's)
Holden Commodore VS 43 O   Paul Weel
  Neal Bates
Paul Weel Racing
(K&J Thermal Products)
Ford Falcon EL
9 O   Alan Jones
  Adam Macrow
Longhurst Racing
(Komatsu)
Ford Falcon EL 44 P   Mal Rose
  Allan McCarthy
Mal Rose Racing
(Ming, Steal Stopper)
Holden Commodore VS
10 O   Mark Larkham
  Brad Jones
Larkham Motorsport
(Mitre 10)
Ford Falcon EL 45 P   Shane Beikoff
  Shane Cruickshank
  Andy Lloyd
Shane Cruickshank Racing
(V8 Supercars Board Game, Union Steel)
Holden Commodore VS
11 O   Larry Perkins
  Russell Ingall
Perkins Engineering
(Castrol)
Holden Commodore VT 46 O   John Faulkner
  Todd Kelly
John Faulkner Racing
(Betta Electrical, Fisher & Paykel)
Holden Commodore VS
14 P   Mike Imrie
  Rodney Crick
Imrie Motorsport
(Armor All, Saabwreck)
Holden Commodore VS 48 P   D'Arcy Russell
  Rod Wilson
Rod Smith Racing
(Playboy)
Holden Commodore VS
16 O   Melinda Price
  Kerryn Brewer
Perkins Engineering
(Castrol)
Holden Commodore VS 49 O   Greg Crick
  Dean Crosswell
Greg Crick Motorsport
(Ericsson, Trust Bank)
Holden Commodore VS
17 O   Dick Johnson
  Steven Johnson
Dick Johnson Racing
(Shell Helix)
Ford Falcon EL 50 O   Greg Murphy
  Mark Noske
Holden Racing Team
(Holden, Mobil 1)
Holden Commodore VT
18 O   John Bowe
  Cameron McConville
Dick Johnson Racing
(Shell Helix)
Ford Falcon EL 54 P   Simon Emerzidis
  Garry Willmington
Emerzidis Motorsport
(Simon's Earthworks)
Ford Falcon EL
20 P   Darren Palmer
  Ian Palmer
  Domenic Beninca
Palmer Promotions
(Hippies Underwear)
Holden Commodore VS 55 P   Rod Nash
  Darren Edwards
Rod Nash Racing
(Autopro, Budweiser)
Holden Commodore VS
22 O   Danny Osborne
  Brett Peters
Colourscan Motorsport
(Colourscan Printing)
Ford Falcon EL 60 P   Nathan Pretty
  Nicole Pretty
  Grant Johnson
Pretty Motorsport
(DeWalt)
Holden Commodore VS
23 P   Ray Hislop
  Tim Briggs
Ray Hislop Racing
(NHP Electrical Engineering)
Ford Falcon EF 72 P   Robert Smith
  David Parsons
Robert Smith Racing
(Smith's Truck Sales)
Holden Commodore VS
24 O   Paul Romano
  Steven Ellery
Romano Racing
(Siemens Mobile)
Holden Commodore VS 75 O   Anthony Tratt
  Bob Jones
Paul Little Racing
(Toll)
Ford Falcon EL
25 O   Tony Longhurst
  Geoff Brabham
Longhurst Racing
(Castrol)
Ford Falcon EL 77 P   Richard Mork
  Bill Sieders
V8 Racing
(v8racing.com, CareFlight)
Holden Commodore VR
26 P   Peter Doulman
  John Cotter
Doulman Automotive
(Gatorade)
Holden Commodore VS 79 P   Mike Conway
  Chris Hones
Conway Racing
(OAMPS Insurance)
Ford Falcon EL
27 O   Terry Finnigan
  Peter Gazzard
Terry Finnigan Racing Team
(Sony)
Holden Commodore VS 96 O   Wayne Gardner
  Paul Stokell
Wayne Gardner Racing
(Coca-Cola, Donut King)
Holden Commodore VS
28 O   Mark McLaughlin
  Ashley Stichbury
  Kevin Waldock
Playscape Racing
(CBS Drill and Blast)
Ford Falcon EF 99 P   Mick Donaher
  Dean Lindstrom
Clive Wiseman Racing
(Ultra Tune)
Holden Commodore VS
32 O   Tomas Mezera
  Alain Menu
Tomas Mezera Motorsport
(Densitron)
Holden Commodore VT 134 P   Alan Heath
  Ken Douglas
Power Racing
(West Terrace 4x4)
Ford Falcon EL
34 O   Garth Tander
  Cameron McLean
Garry Rogers Motorsport
(Valvoline, Cummins)
Holden Commodore VS
Source:[2]
Icon Class
O Outright
P Privateers

Results

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Top 10 shootout

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Pos No Driver Team Car Time
1 1   Mark Skaife Holden Racing Team Holden VT Commodore 2:09.8945
2 25   Tony Longhurst Longhurst Racing Ford EL Falcon 2:10.4492
3 5   Glenn Seton Glenn Seton Racing Ford EL Falcon 2:10.8801
4 10   Mark Larkham Larkham Motor Sport Ford EL Falcon 2:10.9059
5 46   John Faulkner John Faulkner Racing Holden VS Commodore 2:12.2551
6 18   John Bowe Dick Johnson Racing Ford EL Falcon 2:12.3975
7 96   Wayne Gardner Wayne Gardner Racing Holden VS Commodore 2:12.9215
8 35   Jason Bargwanna Garry Rogers Motorsport Holden VS Commodore 2:12.9773
9 11   Larry Perkins Perkins Engineering Holden VT Commodore 2:13.0273
DNS 50   Greg Murphy Holden Racing Team Holden VT Commodore

* Mark Skaife became the first driver to lap a touring car around the 6.213 km (3.861 mi) Mount Panorama Circuit in under 2 minutes and 10 seconds. Skaife qualified his Holden Racing Team VT Commodore in 2:09.8945. His time was 2.93 seconds faster than his own time set in the twin-turbo, 4WD Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R in 1991, the fastest Group A time on The Mountain, and 3.96 seconds faster than George Fury's, Group C time in 1984 in a Nissan Bluebird Turbo on the old 6.172 km (3.835 mi) (pre-Caltex Chase) circuit.
* Greg Murphy did not take part in the Top 10 shootout after badly damaging his car in a crash during Friday practice.

Race

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Pos Class No Drivers Team Car Laps Time/Retired Grid
1 OC 4   Jason Bright
  Steven Richards
Stone Brothers Racing Ford EL Falcon 161 6:42:23.9039 15
2 OC 11   Larry Perkins
  Russell Ingall
Perkins Engineering Holden VT Commodore 161 +10.3162 9
3 OC 35   Jason Bargwanna
  Jim Richards
Garry Rogers Motorsport Holden VS Commodore 161 +10.6552 8
4 OC 10   Mark Larkham
  Brad Jones
Larkham Motor Sport Ford EL Falcon 161 +1:43.4170 4
5 OC 5   Glenn Seton
  Neil Crompton
Glenn Seton Racing Ford EL Falcon 160 +1 lap 3
6 OC 1   Craig Lowndes
  Mark Skaife
Holden Racing Team Holden VT Commodore 159 +2 laps 1
7 OC 7   Darren Hossack
  Darren Pate
Gibson Motorsport Holden VS Commodore 158 +3 laps 20
8 OC 25   Tony Longhurst
  Geoff Brabham
Longhurst Racing Ford EL Falcon 157 +4 laps 2
9 OC 43   Paul Weel
  Neal Bates
Paul Weel Racing Ford EL Falcon 155 +6 laps 22
10 CT 44   Mal Rose
  Allan McCarthy
Mal Rose Racing Holden VS Commodore 154 +7 laps 27
11 OC 16   Melinda Price
  Kerryn Brewer
Perkins Engineering Holden VS Commodore 151 +10 laps 33
12 OC 24   Paul Romano
  Steven Ellery
Romano Racing Holden VS Commodore 151 +10 laps 17
13 OC 96   Wayne Gardner
  Paul Stokell
Wayne Gardner Racing Holden VS Commodore 149 +12 laps 7
14 CT 23   Ray Hislop
  Tim Briggs
Briggs Motor Sport Ford EL Falcon 147 +14 laps 36
15 OC 37   Alan Taylor
  Bill Attard
  Stephen Bell
Scotty Taylor Racing Holden VS Commodore 146 +15 laps 42
16 CT 48   D'arcy Russell
  Rod Wilson
Rod Smith Racing Holden VS Commodore 144 +17 laps 41
17 CT 79   Mike Conway
  Chris Hones
Cadillac Productions Ford EL Falcon 144 +17 laps 32
18 CT 26   Peter Doulman
  John Cotter
Doulman Automotive Holden VS Commodore 141 +20 laps 24
19 CT 45   Shane Beikoff
  Shane Cruickshank
  Andy Lloyd
Shane Cruickshank Holden VS Commodore 134 +27 laps 44
20 CT 14   Mike Imrie
  Rodney Crick
Imrie Motorsport Holden VS Commodore 122 +39 laps 29
DNF OC 27   Terry Finnigan
  Peter Gazzard
Terry Finnigan Holden VS Commodore 136 Engine 14
DNF OC 46   John Faulkner
  Todd Kelly
John Faulkner Racing Holden VS Commodore 136 Engine 5
DNF CT 3   Steve Reed
  Trevor Ashby
Lansvale Smash Repairs Holden VS Commodore 131 Electrical 23
DNF CT 20   Ian Palmer
  Domenic Beninca
  Darren Palmer
Palmer Promotions Holden VS Commodore 121 Crash 38
DNF OC 22   Danny Osborne
  Brett Peters
Colourscan Racing Ford EL Falcon 115 Diff failure 31
DNF CT 54   Simon Emerzidis
  Garry Willmington
Emerzidis Motorsport Ford EL Falcon 101 Engine 26
DNF CT 36   Neil Schembri
  Gary Quartly
Schembri Motorsport Holden VS Commodore 100 Engine 40
DNF OC 50   Greg Murphy
  Mark Noske
Holden Racing Team Holden VT Commodore 86 Tyre failures 10
DNF CT 60   Nathan Pretty
  Grant Johnson
  Nicole Pretty
Pretty Motorsport Holden VS Commodore 85 Alternator 39
DNF OC 18   John Bowe
  Cameron McConville
Dick Johnson Racing Ford EL Falcon 80 Engine 6
DNF OC 17   Dick Johnson
  Steven Johnson
Dick Johnson Racing Ford EL Falcon 60 Crash 12
DNF CT 39   Chris Smerdon
  Charlie Cox
Challenge Motorsport Holden VS Commodore 60 Tailshaft 30
DNF OC 9   Alan Jones
  Adam Macrow
Longhurst Racing Ford EL Falcon 58 Crash 11
DNF OC 2   David Parsons
  Simon Wills
Gibson Motorsport Holden VS Commodore 57 Crash 18
DNF CT 72   Robert Smith
  David Parsons
Robert Smith Racing Holden VS Commodore 56 Crash 28
DNF CT 134   Alan Heath
  Ken Douglas
Power Racing Ford EL Falcon 54 Crash 34
DNF OC 34   Garth Tander
  Cameron McLean
Garry Rogers Motorsport Holden VS Commodore 49 Suspension 13
DNF CT 77   Richard Mork
  Bill Sieders
V8 Racing Holden VR Commodore 48 Engine 45
DNF OC 75   Anthony Tratt
  Bob Jones
  Garry Waldon
Paul Little Racing Ford EL Falcon 47 Engine 25
DNF OC 28   Mark McLaughlin
  Ashley Stichbury
  Kevin Waldock
Playscape Racing Ford EL Falcon 40 Electrical 35
DNF OC 38   Mark Poole
  Tony Scott
James Rosenberg Racing Holden VS Commodore 34 Engine 21
DNF CT 55   Rod Nash
  Darren Edwards
Rod Nash Racing Holden VS Commodore 9 Tailshaft 43
DNF OC 32   Tomas Mezera
  Alain Menu
Tomas Mezera Motorsport Holden VT Commodore 0 Clutch 19
DSQ OC 49   Greg Crick
  Dean Crosswell
Greg Crick Motorsport Holden VS Commodore 151[3] Excluded 17
DNS[4] CT 99   Mick Donaher
  Dean Lindstrom
Clive Wiseman Racing Holden VS Commodore Engine failure on warm-up lap 37
Source:[5]

References

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  1. ^ Joyce, Adam (18 March 2001). "FAI permanently ends Bathurst 1000 race sponsorship". Western Advocate. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  2. ^ Noonan, Aaron (25 November 2021). Bathurst Every Car, the Photographic History 1990-1999. AN1 Media. p. 194–209. ISBN 9780648786344.
  3. ^ V8 Bathurst 2, 1998, page 243
  4. ^ V8 Bathurst 2, 1998, page 244
  5. ^ "1998 FAI 1000 Classic". racing-reference.info. 13 October 2020.

Statistics

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  • Provisional position - #5 Glenn Seton - 2:11.4634
  • Pole position - #1 Mark Skaife - 2:09.8945
  • Fastest lap - #1 Craig Lowndes - 2:12.7771
  • Average speed - 149 km/h
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